Welcome to The Shadow Side with Safrianna, where we illuminate what others too often keep hidden in the dark. I'm Safrianna Lughna—licensed therapist, CEO of Living LUNAs, and your guide into the world of shadow work.

In this powerful episode, I sit down with Eryn Anatavi, neurodiversity advocate and business operations expert from Seattle, to explore what it means to lead while being different in a world that demands conformity. As two neurodivergent leaders who understand the struggle of navigating systems not built for us, we dive deep into the beautiful necessity of diversity and how it strengthens everything it touches.

Eryn shares her journey of discovering her autism diagnosis just two years ago and how it completely reframed her understanding of her lifelong passion for social justice and equity. We explore the powerful analogy of biodiversity in gardens and ecosystems—how different "bugs" serve different purposes, how various plants need different conditions, and how this mirrors the human collective's need for neurodiversity.

We Discuss:

The Superpower and Kryptonite Balance

We discuss how neurodivergent traits come with both incredible strengths (hyperfocus, creativity, pattern recognition) and challenges (burnout, decision paralysis, sensory overwhelm). Eryn emphasizes that you can't love the superpower without having a plan for the kryptonite—and why leaders need systems that support both.

Universal Design for Leadership

Using brilliant analogies of cookie bars, gym equipment, and elevators, Eryn illustrates why building for the minority makes it better for the majority, but building for the majority alienates the minority. We explore how accommodations that help neurodivergent individuals actually benefit everyone in an organization.

Breaking Down Artificial Hierarchies

We challenge the notion that differences create hierarchies of value. Just as a garden doesn't rank plants by importance, human communities shouldn't rank people by how closely they fit a "normal" mold. Innovation doesn't come from sameness—it comes from embracing and leveraging our differences.

Practical Systems for Neurodivergent Leaders

Eryn shares concrete tools she's developed at Sapphire Solutions, including:

Daily intentions practice (not task lists—intentions)

Fire suppression tracking to identify patterns in what derails you

The Clarity Matrix framework (brilliance, shiny objects, monotone, and shattered quadrants)

Proficiency + Positivity = Brilliance in your work

How to prevent team turnover by addressing monotone work before burnout hits

The Profitability of Embracing Neurodiversity

We bridge the gap between two camps that often stay separate: the "efficiency and productivity" side and the "self-awareness and wellness" side. Eryn demonstrates why you need BOTH proficiency and positivity to run successful companies, and how understanding where your team members are working (in brilliance, practicing, or struggling) directly impacts retention and results.

The Extinction Burst

We address the current political and social climate, understanding attacks on diversity and inclusion as an "extinction burst"—the last desperate grab before harmful systems finally die. We discuss how to keep fighting through this difficult period while maintaining hope for what comes next.

This conversation beautifully illustrates that leading while different isn't a deficit—it's exactly what the world needs. When we create systems that honor neurodiversity, build for equity rather than equality, and allow people to work within their unique strengths, everyone benefits.

This podcast is for anyone ready to explore uncomfortable truths, do the inner work, and contribute to collective healing. If you're tired of surface-level conversations and ready to go deeper, this is your space.

About Eryn Anatavi...